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Lineup breakdown: Dodgers-Cardinals, Game 1

Lineup breakdown: Dodgers-Cardinals, Game 1

10/10/13: Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and starter Zack Greinke discuss the Cardinals' lineup and facing the club again

By A.J. Cassavell
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MLB.com |

A look at Friday's starting lineups for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series between the Dodgers and the Cardinals:

DODGERS

The Dodgers pounded the Braves' pitching staff for 26 runs in four games in the NL Division Series, and they welcome center fielder Andre Ethier back into the mix Friday night. Ethier was limited to a pinch-hitting role against Atlanta, but he will start and bat seventh in Game 1 of the NLCS.

The addition of Ethier, who posted a .272/.360/.423 slash line during the regular season, is the only change in the Dodgers' lineup. Manager Don Mattingly used the same batting order in all four games of the NLDS, and for Game 1 against St. Louis, he simply inserted Ethier into the spot previously occupied by Skip Schumaker.

The driving force behind the Dodgers' NLDS success was No. 3 hitter Hanley Ramirez, who hit .500 in the series with six extra-base hits -- tying a franchise record for the most in a single postseason series.

On Friday night, the Dodgers face right-hander Joe Kelly, who presents an interesting challenge in the fact that no Los Angeles hitter has more than eight plate appearances against him. Adrian Gonzalez owns the best numbers vs. Kelly, going 4-for-7 with a homer and a double.

After using the same lineup for the final two games of their NLDS against Pittsburgh, St. Louis didn't make any changes to its batting order before Friday's contest.

Matt Adams, who hit a pivotal two-run eighth-inning homer on Wednesday, continues to bat cleanup, followed by Yadier Molina in the No. 5 spot.

At shortstop, Pete Kozma gets the start for the fourth consecutive game over Daniel Descalso. Known primarily for his glove, Kozma put on a solid offensive display in the NLDS, going 4-for-10 with a double and a stolen base.

Several Cards hitters have a history of success against Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke. Matt Holliday has faced Greinke more than any other St. Louis hitter, and he's hitting .346 with two homers in 26 at-bats. Yadier Molina 7-for-22) and David Freese (6-for-18) also have solid splits against Greinke.